p. 5 | THE CLEAN UNIVERSE by William Penniman

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 19, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 51.

THE CLEAN UNIVERSE.

By William Penniman

The Destiny of Satan, Evil Angels, Sin, and Death.

IT may be asked, What has the subject of a clean universe to do with the destiny of the wicked and the destruction of Satan? We say, Much every way, as a clean universe is the result of the destruction not only of the wicked and the evil angels, but also of Satan, sin, and death.

We read, "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Heb. 2:14. Therefore Christ's death was to destroy him that has the power of death. So long as Satan exists, there will be sin and misery in the world. When he is destroyed, there will be "no more death;" and doubtless he will be the last one who will cease to exist, as he is no doubt the greatest sinner, and will suffer the longest. Who can not see that so long as the devil and his angels exist, there will be suffering in the universe? Therefore it is just as necessary for God to destroy them as it is to destroy wicked men. Satan is not destroyed if he exists forever. When God undertakes a work, He finishes it. When He says, "The wicked shall not be" (exist), He means what He says; and the language applies to Satan and his angels as well as to the wicked of the human race. As another has said:—

"Since Satan is the originator of sin, the direct instigator of all the sins that caused the death of the Son of God, justice demands that Satan shall suffer the final punishment. Christ's work for the restoration of man and the purification of the universe from sin, will be closed by the removal of sin from the heavenly sanctuary, and the placing of these sins upon Satan, who will bear the final penalty." —Great Controversy.

The preceding quotation forcibly and reasonably represents the just punishment of Satan. For further proof on this subject, read Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6.

It can be demonstrated by a good number of plain texts that the universe is to be cleansed from sin and woe. Let those who wish to study this subject read Rom. 14:11; 1 Cor. 15:25, 26; Eph. 1:10; Phil. 2:10, 11; Rev. 5:13; 21:4, 5.

We read that "the end of the wicked shall be cut off." Ps. 37:38. We know that the end of the wicked is death, and that death is "the last enemy that shall be destroyed." 1 Cor. 15:26.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying; . . . for the former things are passed away." Rev. 21:4. If the wicked were burning in an endless hell, could it be truthfully said, even according to the theory of those who claim that this is what is meant by "eternal death," "There shall be no more death"? The truth of the matter is, There is no more death, because the second death is the death of death, or destruction of death.

It can be seen by an examination of Revelation 20 that the punishment and destruction of all the wicked is on the earth: "And they [the devil's army] went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city; and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them." Verse 9.

The Greek word from which "devoured" is translated, Greenfield defines, "to eat up; devour; to consume, as fire or zeal."

Professor Stuart says, "It signifies to eat up; devour; it is intensive in its meaning, and denotes utter excision" (destruction).

In verse 14 we have the conclusion of the whole matter: "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." —William Penniman, Woodburn, Ill.